In the 5th Circuit, bankruptcy trustees are entitled to qualified immunity for personal harms caused by actions that, while not pursuant to a court order, fall within the scope of their official duties.

Procedural context:

Baron appealed the district court's dismissal under FRCP 12(b)(6) of his bankruptcy adversary proceeding against the chapter 11 trustee.

Facts:

Baron was the former principal of Ondova. Baron filed a chapter 11 bankruptcy case for Ondova. Initially, Baron had debtor-in-possession status as to Ondova. About seven weeks later, the bankruptcy court appointed Sherman as the chapter 11 trustee over Ondova.